Before Jess Mauboy came along, it was Ricki-Lee Coulter who was hailed as 'the most successful Australian female artist to be launched by the Idol phenomenon' (Daily Telegraph). Appearing on the show during its 2004 second season, the native Queenslander became a firm fan favourite and her departure was dubbed an 'outrage' by fans and judges alike. But since her departure from our small screens, Ricki-Lee has been anything but an Idol has-been flake out; she has been busy burning up our airwaves and eclipsing the success of Idol winners with her natural charm and girl next door persona. ...
March 15, 2012
Full Biography
Before Jess Mauboy came along, it was Ricki-Lee Coulter who was hailed as 'the most successful Australian female artist to be launched by the Idol phenomenon' (Daily Telegraph). Appearing on the show during its 2004 second season, the native Queenslander became a firm fan favourite and her departure was dubbed an 'outrage' by fans and judges alike.
But since her departure from our small screens, Ricki-Lee has been anything but an Idol has-been flake out; she has been busy burning up our airwaves and eclipsing the success of Idol winners with her natural charm and girl next door persona. Turning down a deal with Australian Idol buddy label SonyBMG, she instead decided to take her career down the independent road and signed with Australian label, Shock Records.
Her debut album, Ricki-Lee, a mixture of disco dance pop beats and more earthy urban tracks, produced three top 20 ARIA chart tracks, including two Gold singles: 'Hell No' and 'Sunshine'. The 2005 release confirmed Ricki-Lee was more than just a wannabe, and that the then 20 year old had a very bright future in the pop market.
Joining the Young Divas in 2006, Ricki-Lee collaborated with fellow Idol finalists, Paulini, Kate Dearaugo and Emily Williams. Releasing three singles, 'This time I Know Its For Real', 'Happening All Over Again' and 'Searching', their first album debuted at #4 on the ARIA charts and a subsequent national tour followed. In April 2007, Ricki-lee, who once hid her musical talent from her family, left the group to pursue her solo career.
In late 2007, her sophomore album 'Brand New Day' produced three top ten singles for the artist, including her most popular track to date, 'Cant Touch This'. The summer dance floor anthem debuted at #2 on the ARIA charts and was the first platinum release for the young songstress.
In 2008, the New Zealand born Ricki- Lee was picked up by legendary UK dance label Ministry of Sound. Her first foray into the international market with track 'U Wanna Little Of This' (a remixed and retittled version of 'Cant Touch This') resulted in a #1 debut on the UK Commercial Club Pop Chart, proving that the girl who was once an Idol dropout, now had international appeal.
New release'Wiggle It' was dropped on the 13th of September and is rumored to be taken from her forthcoming album 'The Singles', a collection of all her hits and remixes from the past four years. It’s due to hit our shelves Christmas 2008.
Diving back onto the small screen, Ricki-Lee has appeared as the face for Jeans For Genes Day 2008, as a mentor on celebrity singing competition It Takes Two.
Now 23 and married to long time boyfriend Jamie Babbington, Ricki-lee is currently co-hosting the new season of Australian Idol with James Mathison and Andrew G.
By Keely Kovacevic
